Pipe wrapping machine



prill 23, '11935.

D. EFiNLEY.

PIPE ,WRAPPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fied Jan. so, 1951 HIS A TTORNEY April 23, 1935,. L. FINLEY PIPE WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 30, 1951 5Y ShQets-Shee 3 Munn-g n INI/'EN TOR. P02/3@ F//VA EY H/S ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 23, 1935 PATENT OFFICE PIPE WRAPPING MACHINE Dozier Finley, Berkeley, Paraffine Companies, Calif., a corporation of Application January 30,

13 Claims.

My invention broadly relates to a machine for wrapping objects, and more particularly to a pipe wrapping machine and to the pipe moving means and wrapping strip applying mechanism thereof.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a wrapping machine with which pipes may be wrapped with a plurality of helically and longitudinally applied strips; the helically ap\ plied strips being wound in either the same or in opposite directions.

Another object of my invention is to provide a pipe wrapping machine embodying improved means for handling the pipes, so that the wrapping may be carried on as a substantially continuous operation without having to couple the pipes together.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved means for transferring the wrapping material from supply rolls to the pipe, including the provision of means for permitting substantially a 90 variation in the pitch of the helically applied wrappings; and of means for varying the degree of overlap in the helical wrapping at any given pitch.

Further objects of my invention include the provision of a pipe wrapping machine in which the adhesive fluid is applied to the pipe without waste; in which the pipes are handled without scarring or otherwise damaging the pipe or its priming coat; and in which pipes of any description, such as riveted pipes, thin walled pipes and the like, may be Wrapped.

The invention possesses numerous other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is side` View, partly in elevation but largely in vertical section, of the pipe wrapping machine embodying my invention, showing the left hand portion of the machine; and

Figure 2 is a` similar view showing the right hand portion of the machine.

Figure 3 is transverse vertical sectional view of the machine taken in a plane indicated by thev line 3`3 of Figure 2, andshows the wrapping rotorin end elevation; portions of the rotor assembly are shown in vertical section to more clearly disclose the construction.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view Calif., assignor to The Inc., San Francisco, Delaware 1931, Serial N0. 512,346

showing the pipe moving means, taken in a plane indicated by the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

In terms of broad inclusion` the pipe wrapping machine embodying my invention comprises means for holding the wrapping material in a 5 rcll encircling and coaxial with the pipe. Guide means are provided for directing the wrapping material from the roll to the pipe. Means are provided for moving the pipe past the roll, and means are provided for moving the guide means l0 about the pipe to transfer thewrapping material fromV the roll to the pipe and apply the material in a helical wrapping.

Means are provided for adjusting the guide means to vary the pitch of the helical wrapping, 15 and means are also provided for varying the relative movements of the pipe and the guide means to alter the degree of overlap between adjacent turns in the wrapping. A plurality of secondary rolls of wrapping material are preferably provided, and are circumferentially journaled about the pipe adjacent the rotor. Guide means are provided for directing the strips from the secondary rolls so that they are applied longitudinally of the pipe with edges abutting. These longitudinally applied strips are preferably placed over the first helical wrapping.

A second helical wrapping, preferably wound in a direction opposite to that of the first helical ,wrapping is applied over the longitudinal strips;

the second helical wrapping being applied by means similar to that employed for the first wrapping. Means are also provided for applying an adhesive iiuid 'to the pipe, and means are provided for conserving excess amounts of the fluid, so that waste in the application thereof is prevented. Y

In greater detail, the wrapping machine embodying my invention comprises a frame 2 mounted on a suitable foundation 3. The frame 2 is in 40 the form of a housing providing a passageway for the pipe 4 to be wrapped. The pipe is supported at one end by the pipe moving means generally designated 6, and at the other end by a set of holding rollers 'I circumferentially disposed about the 45 pipe and journaled in a suitable supporting bracket 8. Several sets of these holding rollers are preferably arranged further along the pipe, so that the pipe will be firmly supported after it leaves the moving means 6. A suitable conveyor system may be provided to take 4care of the wrapped pipes after they leave the machine.

Referring particularly to Figures l and 4, the pipe moving means preferably comprises a plurality of endless 1belts s, two being shown, run- 55 ning longitudinally of the pipe; one being positioned below the pipe, and the other above it. These drive belts are carried by the spaced pulleys II having the flanged edges l2 for holding the belts in position. The pulley shafts I3 are journaled in suitable bearing blocks lll .supported on the ends of the rods i6; the rods in turn being slidably mounted in the frame 2.

A cross bar Il is slidably mounted on the supporting rods l5 adjacentl each of the pulley shafts I3, and is adjustably positioned by a hand wheel I8 working thru a screw I9 threaded inthe frame 2. A coil spring ZI is positioned about each of the supporting rods I6, and is compressed between the bearing block I 4 and the end of the cross bar Il. By this arrangement it is apparent that the belts 9 may be moved to and from each other to accommodate various sizes of pipe; the supporting rod nuts 22 serving to adjustably limit the inward movement of the belts to accord with a given pipe diameter.

After being positioned against a pipe the belts are resiliently held thereagainst bythe springs 2|, and by turning the hand wheels I8 this pressure may readily be varied. `In order to enhance the tractional engagement between the drive belts and the pipe a series of recessed cleats 23 are preferably provided, and are secured in spaced position along the belts. The cleat recesses -24 are cut to accord with a given pipe circumference, and belts with cleats having different shaped recesses are preferably provided to accord with different sizes of pipe.

The reach of the belt which engages the pipe is supported between the pulleys I I to further enhance the tractional engagement between the belt and the pipe. This is preferably accomplished by a plurality of rollers 2 6, three being shown, journaled in a yoke frame 21 mounted on a shaft 28. This yoke shaft is mounted in a manner similar to pulley shafts I 3 -of the belt mounting, and will not be described in detail; suffice to say that when the hand wheel I8 is turned the pressure on the supporting rolls 26, and consequently the reach of the belt, is varied.

The drive for the belts 9 is generally best shown in Figure 1; certain details being better shown in Figure 4. A synchronous motor 29 serves as a prime mover, and is connected to a frame journaled drive shaft 3| thru the spur gears 32. A vertical shaft 33 is also journaled in the frame 2, and is arranged adjacent the end of a pulley shaft I3 of each belt; the shaft 33 being connected with the drive shaft 3l thru the miter gears 34.

Drive from the vertical shaft 33 to the pulley shafts I3 is effected by the gear boxes 36, whereby a suitable worm slidable on the vertical shaft meshes with a worm gear 31 mounted on the end of the pulley shaft. This arrangement completes the drive from the motor 29 to the belts 9, and at the same time allows the belts to be moved relative to the pipe. By replacing the gears 32 for others having `a different ratio an operator may change the rate at which the pipe is moved.

Means are provided for carrying the pipes to `be Wrapped to the machine and into engagement with the drive belts 9 of the pipe moving means. A conveyor is arranged along the extended longitudinal axis of the machine and comprises an endless chain 38 running in the channels 39 held by a. suitable support 4I and over a sprocket 42 journaled on the frame 2 adjacent the lower drive belt 9. 'Ihe conveyor chain sprocket 42 is driven from the drive shaft 3| thru a suitable reduction gearing 43, and a slip belt 44 running over a pulley 46 mounted on the sprocket shaft 41. A spring pressed idler pulley 48 running against the slip belt 44 serves to tension the belt to effect the drive.

Suitable guide rollers 49 arranged along the conveyor chain 38 and journaled on the support arms 5I are provided for guiding the pipe as it is carried along by the conveyor and for directing it into engagement with the drive belts 9 of the pipe moving means. A slotted lug 52 is slipped over a pair of link pins in the conveyor chain 38 behind the pipe, and serves to push the pipe along. When the pipe leaves the end of the conveyor the lug 52 continues along and drops out of engagement with the chain as it is carried over the sprocket 42.

The drive to the conveyor chain 38 is adjusted so that the chain moves slightly faster than the drive belts 9 of the pipe moving means. Due to the presence of the slip belt 44, however, the pipe is merely fed to the pipe moving means; further movement of the pipe being effected entirely by the drive belts 9. By this arrangement it is apparent that pipes are continually fed 'to the machine, and that a new pipe to be wrapped is always ready to take the place of one being Wrapped in the machine. When a pipe passes out of engagement with the drive belts 9 the next succeeding pipe serves to push it on thru the machine.

Means are provided for applying a strip of wrapping material to the pipe in a, helical wrapping. Arranged on the frame 2 ahead of the pipe moving means and journaled on a hollow frame bearing 53 coaxial with the pipe 4 is a rotor 54 having the gear teeth 56cut in its periphery. An annular plate 51 is secured to the end of the bearing 53 by the screws 58, and bears against the side of the rotor 54 to hold it in its journaled position.

The rotor is rotated by a frame journaled shaft 59 thru a pinion 6I meshing with the rotor teeth 56. The shaft 59 is connected to the drive shaft 3| thru a chain drive v62. A suitable speed change gearing 63, of any conventional construc- 4 tion, is interposed in the drive shaft 3| adjacent the chain drive 62, so that the rotation of the shaft 59, and consequently the rotor 54, may be varied.

Means are provided on the rotor 54 for holding the wrapping material in a roll 64 encircling and coaxial with the pipe 4. A pair of annular plates 66, held spaced by the tie rods 61, are secured to the rotor 54 by bolt ends 68 of the tie rods 61. A plurality of loosely journaled rollers 69 are journaled in the annular plates 66, so that they are circumferentially disposed about the pipe' 4. A pair of spaced annular plates II are journaled on the rollers 69 in the roller grooves 12. This arrangement provides a reel adapted to hold the roll 64 of wrapping material; the rollers 69 providing the core of the reel, and the annular plates 1I providing the flanges. Since the core rollers 69 and flange plates 1I are all loosely journaled, the roll 64 of wrapping material is free to slip around on the reel.

Guide means are provided for directing the wrapping material to the pipe 4, so that strip material 13 is taken off the inside of the roll 64 and applied on the pipe in a helical wrapping. Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3, a guide roller 'I4 is arranged between the reel rollers 69 and the pipe 4. One end of the guide roller shaft 18 is pivotally mounted on a bracket 11 secured to the inner annular plate 66 of the reel mounting; the pivot being -eii'ected by a ball and socket joint 18. The other end of the guide roller shaft 18 is slidably mounted on a bracket arm 19 in a pivoted bearing 8|.

As the rotor 54 rotates the guide roller 14 is carried around the pipe 4. As a result, the strip material 13 is pulled out from the inside of the roll 64 and thence directed to the pipe at an angle depending upon the angular position of the guide roller. Means are provided for adjusting the guide roller 14 to change its position relative to the pipe. A ring 82 having the gear teeth 83 cut in its periphery is journaled on the outer annular plate 66 of the reel mounting on the grooved plate journaled rollers 84. This 'ring carries the bracket arm 19 which supports the outer end of the guide roller.

The ring 82 is rotated by a pinion 86 which meshes with the ring teeth 83 and is journaled about the shaft 59 in a frame mounted bearing bracket 81. A sleeve 88 is slidably mounted for rotation with'the shaft 59,l and is provided with a helical key 89 engaging a complementary keyway in the pinion 86. The shaft 59 is journaled in the arms of a yoke 98 slidably mounted in a suitable slideway 9| in the frame 2, and the sleeve 88 is conned between the yoke arms. A hand wheel 92, working thru a screw 93 which is journaled in the frame 2 and threaded in the yoke 98, provides means for adjustably moving the yoke.

The diameters of the rotor 54 and ring 82 are the same, and each is driven by the same shaft thru pinions of the same diameter. C'onsequently, when the shaft 59 revolves the rotor and ring are rotated at the same speed. As a result, the angular position of the guide roller 14 remains xed relative to the pipe. When the yoke adjusting hand wheel 92 is turned, however, the ring 82 is rotated relative to the rotor 54, and

the' angular position of the guide roller isy changed.

Means are preferably provided for applying a layer of wrapping material over the helical wrapping. A secondary frame 94 is mounted on the foundation `3 ahead 'of the frame 2. A plurality of arms 96 are provided on the frame 94, and are arranged to hold a plurality of secondary rolls 91 of wrapping material; four of these rolls are shown circumferentially journaled about the pipe.

vAn adjustable spring pressed guide roller 98 having a concave surface complementary to the pipe surface is mounted on each of the roll supporting arms 96. These guide rollers are proportioned so that their concave faces cooperate to provide a bearing surface completely surrounding the pipe. Rollers having different curvatures are provided to accord with different sized pipes. The Wrapping strip 99 is peeled ofi the secondary rolls 91 and is applied longitudinally of the pipe by the guide rollers 98 as the pipe moves thru the machine. The width of the wrapping strip 99 is substantially equal to the width of the guide rollers, so that thel edges of the applied strips abut to form a substantially continuous layer about the pipe. Obviously, by using a wider wrapping strip the edges of the applied strips may be made to overlap.

An auxiliary winding means is provided ahead of the secondary rolls 91 for applying a helical wrapping over the longitudinally applied strips. This winding means is similar to the winding means described in connection with the first applied wrapping; and where duplications in construction exist, these elements are similarly designated. The drive for the auxiliary winding means, however, is shown as a separate unit, and comprises a synchronous motor |88 connected to the rotor drive shaft |8| thru a suitable speed change gearing |82, a speed reduction |83 and a chain drive |84. are run in synchroni'sm to maintain a constant relation between the speeds of the two drives. While two independent drives are shown, it is tovbe noted that a single prime mover may be used to drive the entire mechanism.

The rotor in the auxiliary winding means is preferably rotated in a direction opposite to that of the rotor in the winding means rst described, so that the strip material |85 isapplied over the transversely applied strips 99 in a helical wrapping wound in a direction opposite to that of The motors 29 and |88 the first helical winding. It is to be noted, however, that the two helical wrappings may be Wound in the same direction by merely reversing vthe direction of rotation of one of the rotors.

For the purposesfof illustration a reversing mechanism |86 is shown interposed in the drive to the rotor 54.

- It is further to be noted that other combinations of wrapping may be made. By leaving out the first helical winding a two layer covering may be obtained; the longitudinal strips being applied directlyvto the pipe and then covered with the final helical wrapping. If desired, the longitudinally applied strips may be omitted, and a covering obtained comprising two layers of spiral wrapping, either wound in the same or in opposite directions. By adding other wrapping units, or by running the pipe thru the machine again, an additional number of layers may be applied.

Means are provided for applying an adhesive waterproof fluid to the pipe. Preferably, a cylindrical jacket |81 is arranged to receive the pipe 4 prior to the wrapping. The jacket is held substantially coaxial with the pipe by the adjustable spring pressed supporting rollers |88 adapted to run on the pipe. One of these rollers is mounted outside at the rear of the jacket, and the other roller is mounted inside adjacent the head end of the jacket.

A conical wiping head |89 of spring steel or other resilient material, and having a series of slits cut in its converging edge, is mounted on each end of the jacket |81. These wiping heads are arranged so that their converging edges are headed in the direction of the pipe movement. 'I'he headsl are reinforced by the conical backing plates l2 and are secured in place on the jacket by the screws I3. A tank I4 is mounted on the frame 2 for holding a supply of the waterproof cementing fluid I6, which may conveniently be a bituminous material. Suitable heating elements I1 are preferably mounted in the tank for heating the fluid.

A 'pipe ||8, preferably covered by a strainer ||9, leads out .from the tank bottom, and connects with a suitable gear pump |2|. A pipe |22 leads from the other end of the pump and discharges into a sump |23. A flexible duct |24 is connectedwith the pipe |22, and opens into the bottom of the jacket |81. A similar duct |26 leads from the top of the yjacket |81, and connects with a pipe |21 which passes up thru the tank fluid ||6 and is capped by a distributor head` |28.

A butteriiy valve |29 is journaled in the discharge pipe |22 below the duct |24, and a rocker arm I3I is mounted on its shaft |32. One end of the rocker arm |3| is connected thru the linklage |33 to a clutch |34 for connecting and disconnecting the pump I2 l; the clutch being interposed between the pump shaft |36 and its chain drive |31 from the shaft 59. The linkage |33 is arranged so that the pump is connected when the butterfly valve is closed, and disconnected when the valve is open.

The other end of the rocker arm I3! is connected by a rod |38 and thru a compression spring |39 to the downwardly projecting arm of a bell crank I4| journaled on the conveyor sprocket shaft 41. A springl |42 acting on the lower end of the bell crank arm tends to urge the butterfly valve open. The other arm of the bell crank I9| is provided with a roller |43 adapted to run on the lower side of the pipe to hold the crank arm down and the butterfly valve closed.

By this arrangement the pump |2| is kept running and the butterfly valve is kept closed while a pipe is in the machine. The uid is continuously circulated thru the jacket |01 and distributed back over the surface of the iiuid in the tank to be reheated. When the last pipe passes thru the machine the bell crank I4I is released, consequently, the pump is automatically stopped and the buttefly valve is opened to permit the jacket and communicating ducts to drain into the sump |23 before any of it has an opportunity to spill I out of the jacket.

The wiping heads |09 are constructed to make a sliding t with the pipe, so that the fluid will be prevented from escaping past the rear wiping head at all times, and from past the forward wiping head when the pipe is stationary. When the pipe is moved, however, the flooded pipe passes out of the forward end of the jacket with an evenly deposited coating of the fluid; it being noted that excess amounts of the fluid are conserved, and that the fluid is applied without waste. Wiping heads having different sized apertures are provided for accommodating pipes of different sizes.

It is also preferred to provide a heater coil |44 around the uid jacket |01 for assisting in maintaining the fluid at the proper temperature. This heater may be an ordinary resistance coil, or it may be in the nature of a primary winding for an alternating current. In the latter case the jacket |01 would act as a short circuited seconda-ry to provide the required heat.

Preferably, means are provided for applying a cementing fluid to secure the longitudinal applied strips to the flrst helically applied strip. For this purpose a tubular ring |45 is preferably disposed about the pipe 4 adjacent the supply rolls 91. This ring is preferably mounted on suitable supports |41 secured to the brackets 96. A duct |48 communicates between the tank ||4 and ring |46, and a suitable pump |49 interposed in the duct |48 is preferably provided for sup-- plying the fluid to the ring under pressure. Any suitable means may be emplOYed fOr driving the Dump.

A plurality of discharge nozzles |5| are provided on the ring |45 to direct the iiuid between the longitudinally applied strips 99 and the helical wrapping. Since the pipe rI is moving forward, the fluid is immediately covered by the strips 99, so that little if any of the fluid is lost. If desirable, a fluid may also be applied to bind the nal helically applied strip |05 to the longitudinally applied strips 99. For this purpose a fluid applying means, preferably similar1 to that described for applying the fluid to the pipemay be employed. In this case the supporting arms 96 would be lengthened and the jacket |01 disposed about the pipe between the guide rollers 98 and bearing 94. Of course the wiping heads |09 would be designed to accord with the increased diameter due to the overlying Wrappings'. This apparatus is not shown because it would be substantially a duplicate of what has already been described in detail.

Operation-An operator adjusts the speed of the rotors 54 relative to the pipe 4 to give the desired overlap to the helical wrapping; and then sets the guide rollers 14 to direct the strip materials 13 and |05 to the pipe at the desired angles, depending upon the pitches to be given the helical wrappings. The machine is then started. As the pipe 4 passes into engagement with the drive belts 9 the bell crank |4I is moved down to close the butterfly valve |29 and start the pump |2 I; the pump action being suiiciently slow to allow the pipe to move thru the jacket before the fluid spills over the lower edges of the wiping heads. The pipe is now moved forward thru the uid jacket |01 by the pipe moving means or drive belts 9. `As the pipe is moved by the belts 9 -the action of the slip belt 44 permits the conveyor chain 38 to slow down to accord with the pipe movement. When a pipe passes out of engagement with the conveyor chain, however, the conveyor immediately speeds up to bring up a new pipe against it.

When the pipe reaches the inside of the first rotor 54 the machine is stopped and the strip 13 is threaded thru the bottomof the reel and around the guide roller 14, after which it is given a turn about the pipe at the selected pitch and overlap and secured by any suitable means. The pipe is then permitted to move ahead to the guide rollers 98, at which point the strips 99 from the secondary rolls 91 are started on the pipe under the pressure guide rollers and secured in.

place by any suitable means.

Again the pipe is allowed to move, this time with the fluid pump |49 operating, until the pipe reaches the inside of the rotor 54 of the auxiliary wrapping means. v At this point the wrapping strip |05 is threaded thru the reel and over the guide roller 41, after'which it is given a turn about the pipe at the selected pitch and overlap and secured by any suitable means. The machine together with the fluid pump |49 is now started again and allowed to continue as long as pipes are to be wrapped; the conveyor chain 39 serving to abut a new pipe against the one being wrapped after it leaves the conveyor. After the wrapped pipes leave the machine the wrapping connecting them may be cut by any suitable means. The last pipe thru the machine is a dummy, and merely serves to push the last wrapped pipe on thru the machine.

The simple longitudinal motion of the pipe thru the machine, together with the improved means by which this motion is effected, are im.

portant features of my invention. It is to be noted that the drive belts 9 engage a substantial portion of the pipe surface, and impart movement to the pipe without placing an undue strain on the pipe, and without scratching or otherwise injuring its surface or priming coat. 4 Non-circular, riveted, lock bar and other special pipes may readily be Wrapped in the machine. Furthermore, the machine will wrap thin walled 

